Guest Characters - HERE COMES A NEW CHALLENGER!

TRUE BEHIND-THE-SCENES TRIVIA - I thought I could get away with not having captions on this page. A Twitter follower spotted their absence right away. LOOKS LIKE I'M RESIGNED TO MY DESTINY (jus' kiddin', we've put these here just for you lovely readers <3)

Gaming Things We Think Are Cool!! - Games that have 'special appearances' from other game characters.

That's what this page is about.

Rules for inclusion on this page:
#1 - Only cases where the guest character is either a playable character, or an enemy, boss or interactable opponent, count. No straight-up cameos, such as background appearances, costumes, as shopkeepers, quest-givers, etc..
#2 - They must be from separate series- Ryo Sakazaki in Fatal Fury Special counts, for instance, but Hibachi in DoDonPachi Resurrection doesn't.
However, it's OK if they're in the same story continuity but originate from different series (like Street Fighter and Final Fight).
#3 - Games that are crossover games to begin with (Fighters Megamix, Super Smash Bros, etc.) don't count, unless the crossover game is between one particular company or series and other companies / series are represented, such as guests in Smash Bros., Cole in Street Fighter x Tekken, and so on.
#4 - NO MOBILE GAMES OR FORTNITE. No exceptions.
#5 - Ultimately... I make the final say on whether it ends up on this page or not. Please understand.

Rules for page presentation::
#1 - English titles first, Japanese titles second.
#2 - Presented in chronological order, except when dealing with a series (i.e. Oneechabara / Aero Fighters)
We'll run through all remaining titles in that series, then go back to year order.
#3 - We'll only be listing initial / relevant release platforms and years, for space concerns.
#4 - We've divided things into 1980-1994 (this page), 1995-1996, 1997-1999, 2000-2009 and 2010-Present.
Click the links to skip around!

GORF
(Arcade, 1980, Midway)

AWWWWW SHIT GET DUNKED ON EVERYBODY MIDWAY WAS DOING THIS WAY BEFORE ANY OF Y'ALL

Gonna... Gonna have to go and change a whole bunch of captions ahead, huh.

AWWWWW SHIT GET DUNKED ON EVERYBODY MIDWAY WAS DOING THIS WAY BEFORE ANY OF Y'ALL

Gonna... Gonna have to go and change a whole bunch of captions ahead, huh.

But this has to be the last time, right? There's no way anything earlier could appear, surely...?

Space Invaders & Galaxians
from, uh, from Space Invaders (Space Invaders) - Arcade, 1978, Taito
& Galaxian (Galaxians) - Arcade, 1979, Namco

How to Encounter / Notes:
The first scene of the game, Astro Battles, has the player fighting the Crab, Squid and Octopus Invaders, alongside the UFO.
The third scene of the game. Galaxians, has the player fighting the full Galaxian squadron, alongside the Boss Galaxian.
Most home ports of the game, such as the Atari 2600 version, redesign the Space Invaders and remove the Galaxians scene entirely.
Midway were the distributors of both Space Invaders and Galaxian in the US so this is, technically, a licensed appearance. Wonder if Taito and Namco knew about it at the time...

Galaga
(Arcade, 1981, Namco)

Namco used to be the top dog here but, well, things have changed.

Spy Ship
from Bosconian - Arcade, 1981, Namco

How to Encounter / Notes:
Upon reaching Stage 4, some Bee enemies will start pulsating and transform into different ships.
On Stages 7, 8 and 9, they can transform into the Spy Ship. [Info & Screen Source]

Pinball
(NES, 1984, Nintendo)

To be fair, Nintendo did do it a lot, so it would've been reasonable to assume they were the first.

Mario
from Donkey Kong - Arcade, 1981, Ikegami Tsushinki / Nintendo

How to Unlock / Notes:
Reaching the Bonus Game (by landing a ball in the hole on the top-right of the bottom screen) has you play as Mario holding a girder, trying to rescue an unnamed maiden (presumably Pauline from Donkey Kong).

Arm Wrestling
(Arcade, 1985, Nintendo)

But not early enough.

Bald Bull
from Punch-Out!! - Arcade, 1983, Nintendo

How to Encounter / Notes:
Bald Bull, posing as Mask X, is your third opponent in the game.
He tries to cheat and headbutt you as one of his attacks. Once you nearly have his arm down, you must dodge his headbutt and rapidly tap Up on the joystick to take off his mask, revealing Bald Bull, to the announcer's surprise. [Source]

The Legend of Zelda
The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu
(NES / Famicom Disk System, 1986 / 1987, Nintendo)

A TRIPLE NINTENDO BILL

These are probably like the most borderline cases on this page but I couldn't let this slide, it's too interesting!

Manhandla / Testitart & Digdogger
evolved forms of enemies from Super Mario Bros. (Manhandla / Testitart) - NES, 1985, Nintendo R&D 4
& Clu Clu Land (Digdogger) - NES, 1984, Nintendo R&D 4

How to Encounter / Notes:
Manhandlia (EN) / Testitart is first encountered in Level 3: The Manji, and later encountered in Level 4: The Snake and Level 8: The Wolf. [Source]
In the Japanese manual, it is specifically referred to as "a four-limbed, jumbo-sized Pakkun Flower", Pakkun being the Japanese name for Piranha Plant. [Source]
Digdogger is first encountered in Level 5: The Lizard and later encountered in Level 7: The Demon. [Source]
In the Japanese manual, it is specifically referred to as "a giant Unira", directly referencing the same enemy from Clu Clu Land. [Source]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce
(SNES, 1991 / 1992, Nintendo EAD)

Link seems to be feeling very strong today...

Link seems to be feeling very strong today...

Chain Chomp
from Super Mario Bros. 3 - NES, 1988 / 1990 / 1991, Nintendo EAD

How to Encounter / Notes:
Two Chain Chomps appear in a single room in Turtle Rock, the eighth dungeon of the game.

Nemesis
Gradius
(MSX, 1986, Konami)

Oh dang, Konami sneaking in here too!

TwinBee
from TwinBee - Arcade, 1985, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Insert Nemesis / Gradius into Slot 1 of your MSX and TwinBee into Slot 2.
The Vic Viper will be replaced with TwinBee and power-ups will be replaced with bells.

Nemesis 2
Gradius 2
(MSX, 1987, Konami)

Can't believe you can't play as a flying Simon Belmont though, they missed an opportunity there.

Pentarou
from Antarctic Adventure - MSX / Colecovision / NES, 1983 / 1984 / 1985, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Insert Nemesis 2 / Gradius 2 into Slot 1 of your MSX and Antarctic Adventure into Slot 2.
The Metalion will be replaced with Pentarou and power-ups will be replaced with fish.

Bubble Bobble
(Arcade, 1986, Taito)

... See, this caption was originally about how Taito beat everyone to it.

But the Nintendo got there first, then Namco got there even before, and then Midway...

Maita, Monsta & Invader
from Chack'n Pop (Maita & Monsta) - Arcade, 1983, Taito
& based on Space Invaders (Invader) - Arcade, 1978, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
Maitas first appear in Round 6.
Monstas first appear in Round 10.
Invaders first appear in Round 60.
Maita and Monsta would become recurring characters in the Bubble Bobble and Puzzle Bobble series, to the point where it's easy to forget they originally came from Chack'n Pop!
Additionally, unused sprites of an enemy resemlbing Zen-Chan can be found inside Chack'n Pop's ROM. [Source]

Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2
(Arcade, 1986, Taito)

BING.

BINGBINGBINGBINGFHZOOOOOOM (that last one's the laser power-up)

Harmful Army (Slander, Mechanimal, Forgot and Opopo) & Doh
from Arkanoid - Arcade, 1985, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
All of these enemies appear in the fifth Island of the game, Doh Island. [Name Source]
Doh serves as the island's boss.
The Round Start jingle is based on the Round Start jingle from Arkanoid, and while the music is replaced with silence, every time you jump it makes sound effects from Arkanoid to simulate the ball bouncing around.

Do we have to caption these ones again? We've seen them before.

Do we have to caption these ones again? We've seen them before.

... Sorry, I had to play Rainbow Islands for these screenshots.

Pig Soldier, Mage, Priest, Ghoul, Golem, Worm & Time-Up Devil
from The Fairyland Story - Arcade, 1985, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
All of these enemies appear in the first Secret Island of the game, Magical Island, unlocked by collecting all the Big Diamonds from Islands 1 to 7.
Time-Up Devil serves as the island's boss.
The Round Start jingle is based on the Round Start jingle from The Fairyland Story, and the music is based on the theme from the first 50 rounds of The Fairyland Story.

Not that Rainbow Islands is terrible, it's just a slog when you learn what you have to do to play it 'properly'.

Not that Rainbow Islands is terrible, it's just a slog when you learn what you have to do to play it 'properly'.

We cheated for these shots, because of course we did,

Darius Enemies & Electric Fan
from Darius - Arcade, 1987, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
All of these enemies appear in the second Secret Island of the game, Darius Island, unlocked by collecting all the Big Diamonds from Islands 1 to 7.
Electric Fan serves as the island's boss.
The Round Start jingle is based on the credit jingle from Darius, the music for the normal stages is based on the song Cosmic Air-Way from Darius, and the Round Clear theme is based on the Zone Clear song from Darius. The boss theme does not seem to come from Darius though, can you help?

... Oh, these are from one of the home versions.

... Oh, these are from one of the home versions.

Youkai & Manuke
from Kiki Kaikai - Arcade, 1987, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
NES / Master System / Game Boy Color versions only!
In the NES and Master System versions (these screenshots are from the Master System port), all these enemies appear in the sixth island of the game as standard, essentially a replacement for Magical Island.
The Round Start jingle and the music for the normal stages is based on the theme song from Kiki Kaikai, and the boss theme for Manuke is based on the boss theme from Kiki Kaikai.
In the Game Boy Color version, Kiki Kaikai Island is unlocked by collecting all the Big Diamonds from Islands 1 to 7, and appears alongside the Secret Islands from the arcade game.

SDI - Strategic Defense Initiative
(Arcade, 1987, Sega)

Thus used to be the oldest entry on this page. Taito got them beat though, alas. And Nintendo beat THEM to it. AND NAMCO BEAT EVERYONE TO IT. UNTIL MIDWAY DID.

Thus used to be the oldest entry on this page. Taito got them beat though, alas. And Nintendo beat THEM to it. AND NAMCO BEAT EVERYONE TO IT. UNTIL MIDWAY DID.

DO YOUR BEST, FLICKY!!

BEHIND-THE-SCENES SHENANIGANS - The most recent version of MAME I have at my disposal removes all sprites when this cheat gets activated. BEHOLD, THE MARCH OF PROGRESS

Flicky
from Flicky - Arcade, 1984, Sega

How to Unlock / Notes:
Insert a coin (only one!) then on the Player 1 side, press Up, Up, Up, Down, Right, Down, Left, Down, Down, Down, move over to Player 2's cnotrols and press Shot, Shot, Shot, then press Player 2 start. After beating the first Offensive and Defensive Halves, your satellite will be replaced by Flicky. [Source]
Flicky only appears in Offensive Halves- you'll take control of the satellite again in Defensive Halves.
Unlike the normal satellite, Flicky will skid around if you change direction sharply, so she makes the game much tougher!
This cheat also works in the PS2 port as part of Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 21 - SDI & Quartet, just make sure you don't have the game set on Free Play. [Source]

Plump Pop
(Arcade, 1987, Taito)

they've still got a great vogue in 1987

Crab
from Space Invaders - Arcade, 1978, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
Crabs appear as the enemies in Round 5-1.

Extermination
(Arcade, 1987, Taito)

this might be the most obscure guest character of all time

Yellow Butterfly
from Plump Pop - Arcade, 1987, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
The boss of Round 3 fires swarms of red projectiles at you, and very rarely it will spawn this yellow butterfly.

Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja
DragonNinja
(Arcade / NES, 1988, Data East)

karnov's first heel turn, and not the last

Karnov
from Karnov - Arcade, 1987, Data East

How to Encounter / Notes:
Karnov is the boss of Stage 1.
A remixed version of the main theme from Karnov plays when you encounter him.

Syvalion
(Arcade, 1988, Taito)

XYZOLOG
from XYZOLOG - MSX, 1984, Taito / Compile

How to Encounter / Notes:
XYZOLOG can appear as a random boss in any chapter.
While it's probably a little bit of a stretch, given its name and appearance faintly resembling the x-shaped enemies in XYZOLOG, it's fair to assume Taito meant this as a little nod to this weird MSX game, developed for Taito by Compile. [Source] [Source]

Power Drift
(Arcade, 1988, Sega AM2)

WELCOME TO EXCITING WORLD~!

F-14 Tomcat & Motorcycle
from After Burner II (F-14 Tomcat) - Arcade, 1987, Sega AM2
& Hang-On (Motorcycle) - Arcade, 1985, Sega AM2

How to Unlock / Notes:
Clear Course A, C or E, placing 1st in every single race, to enter a bonus level where shortly after starting, your car will morph into the F-14 Tomcat.
Clear Course B or D, placing 1st in every single race, to enter a bonus level where shortly after starting, your car will morph into the Hang-On motorcycle. [Source]

Alleyway
(Game Boy, 1989, Nintendo)

This counts.

Mario
from Donkey Kong - Arcade, 1981, Ikegami Tsushinki / Nintendo

How to Unlock / Notes:
Mario is the pilot of the Alleyway bat. His head is even used as the lives counter.

Cameltry
(Arcade, 1989, Taito)

?.?.?....

THAT'S ROY ADAMS, HERO OF OPERATION WOLF, AS A GOD-DAMN MARBLE

Chack'n, Bonze Kackremboh, Crab, Dog, & Roy Adams
from Chack'n Pop (Chack'n) - Arcade, 1983, Taito
Bonze Adventure / Jigoku Meguri (Bonze Kackremboh) - Arcade, 1988, Taito
Space Invaders (Crab) - Arcade, 1978, Taito
Plump Pop (Dog) - Arcade, 1987, Taito
& Operation Wolf (Roy Adams) - Arcade, 1987, Taito

How to Unlock / Notes:
Hold Start while selecting a course (except Training) to bring up the marble select screen, where marbles based on these characters are available to choose.
... This one really is stretching it, but c'mon, the disembodied head of Roy Adams! For some reason!?

On the Ball
(SNES, 1992, Taito)

NO BALL JOKES

Bubblen
from Bubble Bobble - Arcade, 1986, Taito

How to Unlock / Notes:
American / European versions only!
All three versions have a Ball Select screen accessed with a password- TYPE in the Japanese version, GFXJF in the American / European versions.
All of them have Crab, Chack'n, Dog and a spaceman also in the arcade version, but while the Japanese version has Roy Adams from the arcade game, the American and European versions replace him with Bubblen. [Source]
Bubblen's inclusion is pretty half-assed though- he has new shading, but he never spins around!

Champion Wrestler
(Arcade, 1989, Taito)

cheerful guy, isn't he

RASTAN GON' KICK YOUR ASS, RASTAN GON' KICK YOUR FACE, RASTAN GON' KICK YOUR BALLS INTO OU-TER-SPAAAAACE

Rastan
from Rastan / Rastan Saga - Arcade, 1987, Taito

How to Unlock / Notes:
Rastan, appearing in this game under the name Miracle Rastan, is available from the start.

Megablast
(Arcade, 1989, Taito)

I know this isn't our traditional kind of guest character.

But hey, a guest boss is a guest all the same.

And besides, I have an ulterior motive here! It's to tell you...

THAT MEGABLAST IS COMPLETE GARBAGE AND IT'S SHIT AND DON'T PLAY IT

Chack'n, Bubblun, Doh and The Organizer
from Chack'n Pop (Chack'n) - Arcade, 1983, Taito
Bubble Bobble (Bubblun)- Arcade, 1986, Taito
Arkanoid (Doh) - Arcade, 1986, Taito
& Raimais (The Organizer) - Arcade, 1988, Taito

How to Encounter / Notes:
Enemies based on these characters appear as midbosses throughout the game- The Organizer in Round 2, Doh in Round 3, Chack'n in Round 7 and Bubblun in Round 9.
All of them return for a boss rush in the final round.

Image Fight
(Arcade / NES / PC-Engine / X68000 / FM Towns Marty, 1988 / 1990, Irem)

SPOILER: MR. HELI IS CANON IN THE WORLD OF R-TYPE

no, really, he is, check with r-type final

Mr. Heli
from Battle Chopper / Mr. Heli no Daibouken - Arcade, 1987, Irem

How to Unlock / Notes:
PC-Engine Version Only!
On the title screen, press Select to enter the Sound Test. Highlight Song C at the bottom and press Down + Select + I + II- the text Mr. Heli will appear. Press I on Mr. Heli, then exit the Sound Test by pressing Run.[Source]

Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II
(Mega Drive, 1992, Sega)

hang on tight for this one

This cheat is actually pretty funny because the bike is very obviously not to the same scale as the F1 cars. It's like a giant motorbike. THIS POOR BIKE IS SO LOST. WILL NO-ONE HELP HIM.

Motorcycle
from Super Hang-On - Arcade, 1987, Sega

How to Unlock / Notes:
Start a new game of World Championship in Master Mode, enter your name as HANG-ON! and select End when prompted to enter your nationality, leaving it blank. On the screen where Ayrton Senna starts talking to you, reset the console. Next select Free Practice, pick any track and pick Image Training. When selecting your Lap and Grid settings, hold Down before pressing A, then pick any transmission type. If done correctly, you will play as the bike from Super Hang-On instead of a Formula 1 car. [Source]

Aero Fighters
Sonic Wings
(Arcade / SNES, 1992 / 1994, Video System)

Obviously, I had no idea this guy was really from Rabio Lepus. He's the king of Bunnyland, ya know.

Obviously, I had no idea this guy was really from Rabio Lepus. He's the king of Bunnyland, ya know.

It's just a plane. What do you want from me?

Lord River-n-White
from Rabbit Punch / Rabio Lepus - Arcade, 1991, Video System

How to Unlock / Notes:
Lord River-n-White is available from the start (as Player 2 for the United Kingdom team, under the name Lord White).
In two-player mode, Lord River-n-White is partnered with William Sid Pride (Villiam in Aero Fighters).
He also appears as a playable character in future games in the series- 2, 3, Special and Limited.

HE'S RABIO, AND HE'S LEPUS. TOGETHER, THEY FIGHT CRIME.

HE'S RABIO, AND HE'S LEPUS. TOGETHER, THEY FIGHT CRIME.

Rabio & Lepus
from Rabbit Punch / Rabio Lepus - Arcade, 1991, Video System)

How to Unlock / Notes:
Rabio makes a brief cameo in the arcade version of Aero Fighters / Sonic Wings, but isn't playable.
In the SNES port, on the Character Select screen hold R on the second controller and press Left, Down, Right, X, Y, A, B, Left, Down, Right, Down, X, Y, A, B to play as Rabio (P1) and Lepus (P2). [Source]
His between-stage dialogue appears to be glitched in the US version of the game.

Aero Fighters 2
Sonic Wings 2
(Neo Geo, 1994, Video System)

Best part: one of their endings has Cincia/Cindy steal their plane to do the school run.

YO, ELLEN, DON'T WORRY 'BOUT IT, I GOT THIS ONE

Ellen and Cincia
from Lethal Crash Race - Arcade, 1993, Video System

How to Unlock / Notes:
Ellen and Cincia (Cindy in English versions) are available from the start.
They pilot the F-14, and in two-player mode, they fight under the same flag as Spanky / Whity.
They also appear as playable characters in future games in the series- 3, Special and Limited.

Aero Fighters 3
Sonic Wings 3
(Neo Geo, 1995, Video System)

Now, this one's really, really obvious. I mean, their team's called BLAZERS, damnit!

Easy: I always go straight to Spanky on the character select screen :3

Gil & Glen
from Karate Blazers - Arcade, 1991, Video System

How to Unlock / Notes:
Gil & Glen- part of a team with new character Glinda under the name Blazers- are available from the start.
They pilot the P61 Black Widow, and in two-player mode, they're partnered with Hien.

spoiler: tao taido isn't very good

i mean it's just a really weird and awkward and not-fun-at-all fighting game

Malcom
from Ta•o Taido - Arcade, 1993, Video System

How to Unlock / Notes:
Malcom is available from the start.
He pilots the DO335 Pfeil, and in two-player mode, he's partnered with Kowful & Lord River-n-White.

Not gonna lie, Kotomi's hat is damn adorable.

Not gonna lie, Kotomi's hat is damn adorable.

Her sister, by the way, is Komomo- she's the elder of the two, but always ends up being kidnapped somehow. Odd.

Kotomi Kitashirakawa & Red Rabbit
from Rabbit Punch / Rabio Lepus - Arcade, 1991, Video System

How to Unlock / Notes:
After inserting a coin, hold B + Start down for this entire sequence. On the Character Select, press Down when the timer reaches the numbers 7, 5, 2 and 0, each time when the nose of the plane points towards you. If done correctly, Kotomi Kitashirakawa and Rabio will be selected for you. [Source]
In two-player mode, Kotomi is partnered with 'The Man'.
She also appears as a playable character in Sonic Wings Special.

FUCK YEAH DIABLOON, LET'S GO DESTROY THOSE ENEMIES with your really crap weapon that deteriorates over time damnit i love the ship of turbo force but can't get along with the game itself sob sob sob

FUCK YEAH DIABLOON, LET'S GO DESTROY THOSE ENEMIES with your really crap weapon that deteriorates over time damnit i love the ship of turbo force but can't get along with the game itself sob sob sob

'The Man' (Captain Waffle) & Diabloon
from Spinal Breakers (Captain Waffle) - Arcade, 1990, Video System
& Turbo Force (Diabloon) - Arcade, 1991, Video System

How to Unlock / Notes:
After inserting a coin, hold B + Start down for this entire sequence. On the Character Select, press Right then press Down when the timer reaches the numbers 7, 5, 2 and 0, each time when the nose of the plane points towards you. If done correctly, 'The Man' and Diabloon will be selected for you. [Source]
Diabloon's weapon system is based on the one from Turbo Force, so you'll lose power over time!
'The Man' is shrouded in shadows during your playthrough, until you reach the end and it's revealed to be Captain Waffle. Additionally, his ending mentions the 'Hildride' base as being destroyed, a new translation of the 'Hildroid', the main enemy forces from Spinal Breakers.
In two-player mode, 'The Man' is partnered with Kotomi Kitashirakawa, but it's not Captain Waffle this time- at the end of your game, 'The Man' is revealed to be someone completely different, Gore, who isn't from any other game.
He also appears as a playable character in Sonic Wings Special.

Massive props to The Sonic Wings Wiki for all the info they have on these cameos!
(Seriously, I knew about Rabio Lepus but Lethal Crash Race? Nah, wasn't gonna spot that. Damn.)

Monster Maulers
Kyukyoku Sentai Dadandarn
(Arcade, 1993, Konami)

b r a i n g o l e m

it's satisfying to say, isn't it

b r a i n g o l e m

can i be real with you? i prefer the salamander games to gradius. fight me. (please don't fight me we can still be friends)

Brain Golem, Moai & Ducker
from Salamander (Brain Golem) - Arcade, 1986, Konami
& Gradius (Moai & Ducker) - Arcade, 1985, Konami

How to Encounter / Notes:
Brain Golem (Brainy outside Japan) is an opponent in the Kenya stage.
Moai is an opponent in the Brazil stage, and a remix of The Old Stone Age from Gradius II plays while fighting it.
Ducker is an opponent in the final stage.

Saturday Night Slam Masters
Muscle Bomber
(Arcade, 1993, Capcom)

how come they don't call haggar by his full title anymore. MAYOR MIKE 'MACHO' HAGGAR.

I picked this attack because it's one from Final Fight. Also kinda weird to play this after Final Fight 3 because a lot of the moves in there are taken from this!

Mike "Macho" Haggar
from Final Fight - Arcade, 1989, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Haggar is available from the start.
He also appears as a playable character in future games in the series- Muscle Bomber Duo and Ring of Destruction: Saturday Night Slam Masteres II / Super Muscle Bomber: The International Blowout

Rock 'N Roll Racing
(SNES / Mega Drive / Game Boy Advance, 1993 / 1994 / 2003, Slilcon & Synapse)

HOW MANY VERSIONS OF THE LOST VIKINGS DID THEY MAKE JESUS CHRIST

HOW MANY VERSIONS OF THE LOST VIKINGS DID THEY MAKE JESUS CHRIST

Olaf the Stout
from The Lost Vikings - Mega Drive / SNES / PC / Amiga / Amiga CD32 / Game Boy Advance, 1993 / 1994 / 2003, Slilcon & Synapse

How to Unlock / Notes:
In the SNES version, on the Character Select screen highlight Snake then hold L, R and Select and press Right to unlock Olaf. [Source]
In the Mega Drive version, on the Character Select screen press Up, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Down, Left, Right to unlock Olaf. [Source]
In the Game Boy Advance version, on the Character Select screen highlight Tarquinn, then press L, R and Right together, then Right to unlock Olaf. [Source]

Kirby's Dream Land
Hoshi no Kirby
(Game Boy, 1992, HAL Laboratory, Inc.)

Mugging for the camera, that cheeky Lololo.

Lololo & Lalala
based on Lolo & Lala from Eggerland Mystery - MSX, 1985, HAL Laboratory, Inc.

How to Encounter / Notes:
Lololo and Lalala are the bosses of Stage 2 - Castle Lololo. They fight by pushing boxes at Kirby, similar to the primary gameplay mechanic of the Eggerland / Adventure of Lolo games.
They also appear throughout the Kirby series as bosses.

Fatal Fury Special
Garou Densetsu Special
(Neo Geo, 1993, SNK)

Bloody typical of those Kyokugen types, Ryo's appearance here has messed up the organisation of the character select screen. BAH.

Bloody typical of those Kyokugen types, Ryo's appearance here has messed up the organisation of the character select screen. BAH.

obviously i picked duck king for this because who else are you gonna pick in fatal fury

Ryo Sakazaki
from Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken - Neo Geo, 1992, SNK

How to Unlock / Notes:
Finish the game without losing a round to fight Ryo after defeating Krauser. [Source]
After beating him, in the Neo Geo home version, wait for the demo. When you hear the word "Fight!", enter Up, A, Left, A, Down, A, Right, A, Up, C, Right, C, Down, C, Left, C, Up, C. You can only play as Ryo in Player Vs. Player Mode. [Source]
His stage theme song is Art of Fighting Ver-230000000.0, a heavily-remixed version of ART of FIGHT (Ryuhaku Todoh Stage) from Art of Fighting.

Nettou Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special
(Game Boy, 1998, Galbrain / Takara / SNK)

WHERE'S FRANCO BASH :(

obviously i picked duck king for this because who else are you gonna pick in fatal fury. on the game boy.

spoilers: not keen on iori. that hairstyle of his is just trying too hard.

Iori Yagami
from The King of Fighters '95 - Neo Geo, 1993, SNK

How to Unlock/Notes:
Beat the game on Normal / Hard Mode to fight Iori after the credits (after fighting Geese). Afterwards, you can select Iori by pressing Start of Billy Kane's icon on the Character Select screen (and Geese by doing the same on Krauser's icon). [Source]
Alternatively, use the Soft Dip cheat- press Left and A while on the Sound Test option in the Options Menu- and change the first 0 to a 1 to unlock both Iori and Geese automatically. [Source]

Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition
Garou Densetsu: Wild Ambition
(Playstation, 1999, SNK)

Just shy of a decade later, and Ryo finally sorted out his placement on the character select screen. Good on you, sport.

Just shy of a decade later, and Ryo finally sorted out his placement on the character select screen. Good on you, sport.

gotta keep this joke going, duck king 4 lyf

Mr. Karate
from Buriki One - Arcade, 1999, SNK

How to Unlock / Notes:
Playstation version only!
Mr. Karate, alongside fellow secret character Duck King, is not available in the arcade version of the game.
Finish the game without continuing to fight Mr. Karate after defeating your character's final boss. Defeat him (you have only one shot at this) to unlock him. [Source]
Mr. Karate, also known as Mr. Karate II, is an older version of Ryo Sakazaki after taking on his father's moniker of Mr. Karate for his appearance in Buriki One.

Fighter's History
(Arcade / SNES, 1993 / 1994, Data East)

CAPCOM SHOULD S- oh wait

real talk: i like fighter's history. well, i prefer the sequel but, you know. also, FIYAAAAAAAAA

Karnov
from Karnov - Arcade, 1987, Data East

How to Unlock / Notes:
Karnov is the final boss of the game. He is not playable or unlockable in the arcade version, unless you use cheats in MAME.
In the SNES port (pictured), on the title screen press Right, Right, Up, Up, L, R to unlock both Clown and Karnov.[Source]
He also appears as a playable character in future games in the series- Karnov's Revenge / Fighter's History Dynamite, Fighter's History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!.

Karnov's Revenge
Fighter's History Dynamite
(Arcade/SNES, 1994, Data East)

moo-ve over karnov!!

Ox
from Karate Champ / Karate Dō - Arcade, 1984, Technōs Japan / Data East

How to Unlock / Notes:
Finish the game without losing a single round to fight Ox in a single-round battle after your character's ending.
Ox is not playable in any version of the game without the use of cheat devices.
Karate Champ technically isn't a Data East game- it was devloped by Technōs Japan and simply distributed by Data East. However, the rights to Karate Champ seem to be owned wholesale by Data East until their assets were sold off to G-mode, and so Ox is almost certainly intended to be a nod to the 'Get the Bull' bonus stage in Karate Champ.

Fighter's History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!
(SNES, 1995, Data East)

AW SHIT YEAH, NUCLEAR MAN, THE FIGHTER ALL UP IN THIS MO-FO :D :D :D

Chelnov
from Atomic Runner Chelnov - Nuclear Man, the Fighter - Arcade, 1988, Data East

How to Unlock / Notes:
Chelnov is the new final boss of the game.
To play as him, wait until the Title Screen says 'Fighter's History' (don't skip the intro or you'll go straight to the menu) then press Down, Down, Up, Up, Right, Left, L, R. You'll hear a voice if it's worked. [Source]
Chelnov cannot be used in Mizoguchi!! Mode.

Aggressors of Dark Kombat
Tsuuka GANGAN Koushinkyoku
(Neo Geo, 1994, ADK)

rough neighbourhood, man.

I like Kisarah. She's got moxie. It was especially amusing to see her return for NeoGeo Battle Coliseum!

Fuuma Kotaro
from World Heroes - Neo Geo, 1992, Alpha Denshi

How to Unlock / Notes:
Fuuma is available from the start.

OutRunners
(Mega Drive, 1994, Sega/Data East)

So is this guy on the car select screen THE Flagman? Same one from OutRun and OutRun 2, or what?

I don't especially like the Mega Drive port of this one, but let me tell you somethin' MAGICAL SOUND SHOWER '93 in the arcade version is off the chain.

Virtua Formula
from Virtua Racing - Arcade, 1992, Sega

How to Unlock / Notes:
Japanese version only!
On the Title Screen, press Left, Right, Left, Right, B, C, A. You'll hear a tone if done correctly. Then select Arcade Mode and on the Car Select screen, Virtua Formula is to the left of Easy Handling. [Source]
In the U.S. version of the game, you'll still hear the tone if the cheat is entered, but Virtua Formula won't appear.

NBA Jam: Tournament Edition
(Arcade, 1994, Midway)

TONIGHT'S MATCH-UP

HERE'S THE TIP! BOOMSHAKALAKA! HE'S ON FIRE! FROM DOWNTOWN! J-J-J-JAMS IT IN!

Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Reptile & Raiden
from Mortal Kombat - Arcade, 1992, Midway

How to Unlock / Notes:
Revisions 1.00 and 2.00 only!
To play as Sub-Zero, enter SUB as your initials and DEC 5 as your birthday.
To play as Scorpion, enter SCO as your initials and JUL 6 as your birthday.
To play as Reptile, enter RPT as your initials and NOV 11 as your birthday.
To play as Raiden, enter RAD as your initials and JUL 9 as your birthday. [Source]
These characters were removed from subsequent revisions of the game at the request of the NBA over the controversy surrounding Mortal Kombat at the time. [Source] (Four other characters- Tim Coman, Elviscious, Grim Reaper and Kongo- were also removed).

The King of Fighters Series
(Various, 1994-2013, SNK)

TRUE FACTS: The first version of the page specifically said NO KING OF FIGHTERS because it would be absolute hell to put all those pictures there. This is what we call a compromise. Besides, in these two shots we get the four 'main' franchises represented in KOF- here, you have Ikari Warriors (with Ralf Jones, one of my all-time favourite SNK characters), Art of Fighting (with Takuma Sakazaki, one BAD MOTHERFUCKER)...

... And in this one, you've got Psycho Soldier (with Athena Asamiya, who has the best dress sense) and Fatal Fury (with Terry Bogard in his NEW LOOK FOR THE 2000s from Garou: Mark of the Wolves). THE FUTURE IS NOW.

The King of Fighters is what you'd call an exceptional case. It's not explicitly a crossover game, but so many characters from previous SNK games appear that documenting all of them in the style of this page- i.e. providing screenshots of every single character- would be too intense. So, we've created a table with all the characters who appear in previous SNK games and are playable, not just Strikers. We'll be doing this like so: giving the name of an instalment of the series, then listing which characters were introduced in that game and where they're from:

KOF Instalment	Character Name	Origin Series	Origin Game
'94	Terry Bogard	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
'94	Andy Bogard	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
'94	Joe Higashi	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
'94	Mai Shiranui	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury 2 / Garou Densetsu 2
'94	Kim Kaphwan	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury 2 / Garou Densetsu 2
'94	Ryo Sakazaki	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken
'94	Robert Garcia	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken
'94	Takuma Sakazaki	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken
'94	Yuri Sakazaki	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken
'94	King	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken
'94	Ralf Jones	Ikari Warriors / Ikari	Ikari Warriors / Ikari
'94	Clark Still	Ikari Warriors / Ikari	Ikari Warriors / Ikari
'94	Athena Asamiya	Psycho Soldier	Psycho Soldier
'94	Sie Kensou	Psycho Soldier	Psycho Soldier
'95	Billy Kane	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
'95	Eiji Kisaragi	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting 2 / Ryūko no Ken 2
'96	Kasumi Todoh	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting 3 / Ryūko no Ken Gaiden
'96	Geese Howard	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
'96	Wolfgang Krauser	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury 2 / Garou Densetsu 2
'96	Mr. Big	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken
'97	Ryuji Yamazaki	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury 3 / Garou Densetsu 3
'97	Blue Mary	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury 3 / Garou Densetsu 3
'99	Li Xiangfei	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 / Real Bout Garou Densetsu 2
2003	Tizoc / Griffon Mask	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Garou: Mark of the Wolves
2003	Gato	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Garou: Mark of the Wolves
XI	Duck King	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
XI	B. Jenet	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Garou: Mark of the Wolves
XI	Gai Tendo	Buriki One	Buriki One
XI	Silber	Buriki One	Buriki One
XI	Sho Hayate	Savage Reign / Fūun Mokushiroku	Savage Reign / Fūun Mokushiroku
XI	Jyazu	Savage Reign / Fūun Mokushiroku	Kizuna Encounter / Fūun Super Tag Battle
XI PS2	Tung Fu Rue	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
XI PS2	Hotaru Futaba	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Garou: Mark of the Wolves
XII	Raiden	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
XIII	Hwa Jai	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
XIII DLC	Honki ni Natta Mr. Karate	Art of Fighting / Ryūko no Ken	SNK Vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos
XIV	Alice Nakata	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Garou Densetsu: The Legend of Wild Wolf (Pachinko)
XIV	Nakoruru	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits
XIV	Mui Mui	Dragon Gal (Pachinko)	Dragon Gal (Pachinko)
XIV	Love Heart	Sky Love (Pachinko)	Sky Love (Pachinko)
XIV DLC	Rock Howard	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Garou: Mark of the Wolves
XV DLC	Haohmaru	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits
XV DLC	Darli Dagger	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits (2019)
Maximum Impact 2	Richard Meyer	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu
Maximum Impact 2	Lily Kane	Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu	Fatal Fury 3 / Garou Densetsu 3
Maximum Impact 2	Hanzo Hattori	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits	Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits
Maximum Impact 2	Fiolina "Fio" Germi	Metal Slug	Metal Slug 2

So those are the 'mainline' series games, but there's some odd outliers here and there, shown below.

The King of Fighters '95
Nettou The King of Fighters '95
(Game Boy, 1996, Galbrain / Takara / SNK)

I spy some Ikari Warriors favouritism here! Ralf but no Clark! Then again, he IS the strongest.

I spy some Ikari Warriors favouritism here! Ralf but no Clark! Then again, he IS the strongest.

The SNK GB ports are WEIRD. It's especially strange to compare them to the Neo Geo Pocket Color adaptations...

TERRIBLE THINGS THAT ARE TRUE - my very first email address had nakoruru's name in it :(

...

...

... <3

Nakoruru
from Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits - Neo Geo, 1993, SNK

How to Unlock / Notes:
Finish the game on Hard difficulty to fight Nakoruru after the credits.
To play as Nakoruru, press the Select button 20 times (!) on the Takara logo after switching the game on. [Source]

The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Regulation "A"
(Arcade / Playstation 2, 2008, SNK Playmore)

Makoto Mizoguchi
from Fighter's History - Arcade, 1993, Data East

How to Unlock / Notes:
Makoto Mizoguchi is available from the start.
He comes with his own stage, Dotonbori, based very loosely on his stage from Fighter's History Dynamite.

Advance to 1995-1996!

Obviously, we can't take credit for spotting all these. So credits for powerful readers go here!

Itallics means they gave us info, Bold means they gave a screenshot, Both means they gave both.

davZZGndm: Rondo of Swords / Rondo of Deception
HokutoNoShock: Puzzle Bobble 3, Elevator Action Deluxe
inobscurity: Windy x Windam, Gunbird 2
Motherplayer: Boombots
Scrollboss: Ultra Street Fighter IV
Kimimi: Lost Planet 2
Liam Ashcroft: Virtua Striker 2003, Sonic Riders, Le Mans 24
Kroogah: Super Meat Boy, Spelunky
Jake: Fighter Maker, Monster Maulers, Battle Garegga, Giant Gram: All Japan Pro Wrestling 2, Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium, Last Legion UX, Xevious 3D/G+, Fever S.O.S.
Ragey: Battle Tryst
LanceBoyle94: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, SKATE 3, Fight Night Round 2, International Track & Field 2000, Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2, MotoGP, MotoGP 3, Urban Reign, Evolution Skateboarding, MLB Slugfest 20-04, NBA Street V3, SSX On Tour, Arkanoid DS, Renegade Ops
Matt: Motor Mayhem, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict, Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Crush Crush
mi-com: Last Legion UX
A. Calder: Kirby's Dream Land, Alleyway, Sonic 3D Blast, GORF, Bubble Bobble, Nemesis, Nemesis II, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda
GoldS: Plump Pop, Extermination
Steven W. Hunt: NFL Blitz
Flapjack Rabbit: Nano Breaker
The Opponent: Bombergirl, Mahjong Fight Girl

Know any we've missed? Got screenshots for some we're missing 'em for?
Fire up your email account, type in themetalslug at gmail dot com and shout words at me to get it right!

Sigh.